Improve your vocabulary. Vocabulary: optimal size and ways to increase

« Vocabulary William Shakespeare, according to researchers, is 12,000 words. The vocabulary of a Negro from the cannibalistic tribe "Mumbo Yumbo" is 300 words. Ellochka Shchukina easily and freely managed thirty ... "

Are you short of words to properly express your thoughts? If you are faced with the question "?", This article will be useful to you.

In today's world, beautiful and rich speech speaks of culture and good education. Rich Russian vocabulary indicates the level of intellectual development of a person. Society perceives a person with a rich vocabulary as an intelligent and creative person. People with a rich vocabulary get jobs faster, move up the corporate ladder more successfully, and are generally listened to more often and more carefully. The more human vocabulary the more likely he is to succeed in life.

The following recommendations will help you to replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language:

Methods, methods and techniques for increasing vocabulary

  1. Think about which of the banal, hackneyed, hackneyed words and expressions you are used to using on a daily basis in standard communication situations. Write them down on a piece of paper. Recorded? Now take an explanatory dictionary or dictionary of synonyms from the shelf. Find these words that are already hurting your own ears and that you are tired of hearing every day. Study the long list of alternatives and say each of these words out loud. Which one reflects your personality? Which one suits you personally? Try each one as you try on a suit and see which ones you find comfortable and cozy. Choose a few of these words and practice saying them out loud until they become a natural part of your vocabulary;
  2. Communication is the main source of replenishment of human vocabulary.During the conversation, each participant replenishes his vocabulary from the arsenal of the interlocutor, there is a word exchange between them. Talk to your friends, acquaintances, relatives as much as possible. Use new words in your vocabulary, knowledge about a word is nothing without using it;
  3. Read reading books is good. Start with those authors who are more understandable and close to your interests. Gradually add literature harder. The text where there are interesting words and expressions that you want to remember and apply in the future, re-read aloud (when reading to ourselves, we also replenish our vocabulary, but not so quickly, because in this way we only see the words, while reading aloud, we in addition to this, we also hear them and, most importantly, we pronounce them, so we remember them better);
  4. When you spot a new word, don't just look up its definition in the dictionary. Pay attention to the turn of speech in which this word is used, try to replace it for yourself with the corresponding synonym. Try to rhyme, come up with as many suitable phrases as possible. The more you know about a word, the faster you will learn to use it without complicating your memory. This will immediately affect the beauty and personality of your speech;
  5. Write. Rewrite other people's articles and your favorite literary works, following the example of Demosthenes, who rewrote Thucydides' History eight times in a row.
  6. Crossword puzzles are not just entertainment, but also a way vocabulary development. Use this opportunity on the road, on vacation. Choose crossword puzzles from well-known publications or those that have a good reputation;
  7. For those who spend a lot of time on the road, driving or have absolutely no free time, there is a unique opportunity to use books and dictionaries. develop your speech and increase your vocabulary through audiobooks. A similar method will also be acceptable to an audience that perceives better by ear. In any case, while away the time in traffic jams reading good literature is much more useful and effective for your development.

Ways to memorize new words

A person may well serve as a very objective indicator of his intellectual development, high level of culture and good education. Society, as a rule, perceives such a person as intelligent and creative. It is initially easier for such a member of society to find a good and more promising job, he moves up the career ladder faster and more successfully and has a reputation as a person whose advice and recommendations should be listened to more often and more carefully.

What does the term human vocabulary mean?

Simply put, it is a set of words that a particular person owns. According to modern scientists, the human vocabulary is of two types: active and passive. The first consists of words that are used both in writing and in oral speech. Passive, in turn, is the set of words that is recognized and understood, but not used by a person. As a rule, the latter is several times greater than the former.

What is the vocabulary of the Russian language?

According to recent statistics, our language has almost 500,000 words, but only 3,000 are used in everyday speech.

In other languages, the situation is almost the same.

Is it possible to increase the used set of words?

Very often in everyday conversations one has to hear about the tongue-tied tongue of one or another mutual acquaintance. You can often come across the opinion that the gift of oratory is given to us at birth and subsequently a person’s vocabulary (as a predisposition, for example, to some bad habits or diseases) cannot be corrected. This is nothing more than a delusion! Can! You can add, correct and improve! And to do this is not so difficult, the main thing is to set a goal.

How to improve a person's vocabulary. List of simple tips

  • Make a list of words that you will definitely use every day. Let this list be as long as possible. Ready? Now, using an explanatory dictionary or a dictionary of synonyms, write several alternative options for each word. For example, "interesting" - remarkable, entertaining, curious, noteworthy, noteworthy. Try to remember them and use each of the options listed at least once during the day. Only in this way can they be deposited in our memory.
  • Read as much as possible. Start with the books of those authors who are close and pleasant to you. And only gradually it will be possible to move on to more serious literature. If an unfamiliar word is found in the work, it is recommended that you look up its meaning in the dictionary, and if you want to remember it, read it out loud and mentally repeat it several times. Why exactly? - Modern scientists have proved that in human memory it is better to store what has been uttered at least once.
  • Write. If you have no one to write long, warm and filled with positive emotions letters, use the example of Demosthenes: rewrite other people's articles, favorite works of art, write out poems or great sayings that stirred something in your soul into a special notebook.
  • Crossword puzzles are also quite useful for developing vocabulary. But in this case, I would like to warn you - the publications that print them must be known and verified.
  • If you have to spend most of your time on the road or driving, and there is just sorely not enough free time for the above, you can resort to the help of audio books, the choice of which is now quite large, and the quality is quite decent.

In these proven ways, you can gradually increase your vocabulary: English, Chinese, French and any other. But we should not forget that without making an effort, you are unlikely to be able to make your speech more melodic, informative and expressive.

The larger a person's vocabulary, the more likely they are to succeed in life.

Rich vocabulary: methods, ways and techniques to increase it

In today's world, beautiful and rich speech speaks of culture and good education. Society perceives a person with a rich vocabulary as an intelligent and creative person. The larger a person's vocabulary, the more likely they are to succeed in life.

Methods, methods and techniques for increasing vocabulary:

1. Think about which of the banal, hackneyed, hackneyed words and expressions you are used to using on a daily basis in standard communication situations. Write them down on a piece of paper. Recorded?

Now take an explanatory dictionary or dictionary of synonyms from the shelf. Find these words that are already hurting your own ears and that you are tired of hearing every day.

Study the long list of alternatives and say each of these words out loud. Which one reflects your personality? Which one suits you personally?

Try each one as you try on a suit and see which ones you find comfortable and cozy.

Choose a few of these words and practice by saying them out loud until they become a natural part of your vocabulary;

2. Communication is the main source of replenishment of a person's vocabulary. During a conversation, each participant replenishes his vocabulary from the arsenal of the interlocutor, there is a word exchange between them.

Talk to your friends, acquaintances, relatives as much as possible. Use new words in your vocabulary, knowledge about a word is nothing without using it;

3. Read, reading books is good. Start with those authors who are more understandable and close to your interests.

Gradually add literature harder. The text where there are interesting words and expressions that you want to remember and apply in the future, re-read aloud (when reading to ourselves, we also replenish our vocabulary, but not so quickly, because in this way we only see the words, while reading aloud, we in addition to this, we also hear them and, most importantly, we pronounce them, so we remember them better);

4. When you spot a new word, don't just look at its definition in a dictionary. Pay attention to the turn of speech in which this word is used, try to replace it for yourself with the corresponding synonym.

Try to rhyme, come up with as many suitable phrases as possible. The more you know about a word, the faster you will learn to use it without complicating your memory. E it will immediately affect the beauty and personality of your speech;

5. Write. Rewrite other people's articles and your favorite literary works, following the example of Demosthenes, who rewrote Thucydides' History eight times in a row.

Crossword puzzles are not just entertainment, but also a way to develop vocabulary. Use this opportunity on the road, on vacation. Choose crossword puzzles from well-known publications or those that have a good reputation;

6. For those who spend a lot of time on the road, driving or have absolutely no free time to use books and dictionaries there is a unique opportunity develop your speech and increase your vocabulary with audiobooks.

A similar method will also be acceptable to an audience that perceives better by ear. In any case, while away the time in traffic jams reading good literature is much more useful and effective for your development. published

Great Russian! Studies by modern linguists show that it contains about two hundred thousand words. However, the average Russian uses no more than three thousand lexical constructions in everyday life. There are many methods for replenishing the Russian language. You can get acquainted with the most effective techniques for improving the culture of speech in the article.

The book is an endless source of knowledge. Expanding vocabulary through reading, analyzing and memorizing information is one of the most effective methods of enriching speech. How to replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language and what to read for this? It is necessary to study not only fiction, but also popular science, specialized literature of Russian and foreign authors, poetry. It is important to adhere to the following rules:

    slow, thoughtful reading followed by text analysis;

    concentration on new terms, turns, lexical constructions;

    the practice of reading aloud, memorizing, or retelling a text.

Having stumbled upon an unfamiliar word, you need to write it out in a separate notebook / notebook, pick up synonyms, memorize the interpretation and try to apply it in everyday life.

An extensive vocabulary is preceded by hard work. Masters of eloquence recommend paying attention to the development of oratory skills in oneself. Every erudite person should have the ability to clearly formulate thoughts, describe events richly or retell in detail recently read information. The active use of the studied material (in this case, new words) is a guarantee of the richness of speech: in conversation, in correspondence or during a speech, thoughts should be expressed, carefully choosing the best words.

Among the tips on how to replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language, exercises on writing your own text are especially effective. For example, you can take a notebook and a pen, or open a text editor on your computer and just start writing. It is important to try to put your own feelings on paper, learn to describe events in detail or tell a story. Alternatively, you can start journaling or start a virtual diary - daily practice as a writer will stir up the brain and make it "dig" in its own lexical baggage.

“Well”, “like”, “as if” and long pauses “uh-uh” in an instant betray a person with a meager vocabulary. Such constructions pollute human speech, deprive it of information content and beauty.

Specialized textbooks that study the etymology of words can open up new horizons for the native language. You can use both classic volumes from Dahl or Ozhegov, or use online services to learn new words. It is noteworthy that explanatory dictionaries, in addition to interpretation, also contain examples of the use of the term in context, which allows it to be included in the active lexicon.

An obligatory item in working with a dictionary is the transfer of unknown terms into a separate notebook. It is important to review your notes from time to time. Perfectly copes with the task of replenishing the vocabulary of the Russian language with a list of words located in a conspicuous place. Placing stickers with terms in the workplace, refrigerator or mirror involves visual memory in the process of learning new vocabulary. Do not neglect didactic cards: a word is written on one side, and its definition on the other.

Beginning linguists: tricks of learning your native language

    Solving word puzzles.Crossword, scrabble, boggle or cranium - picking up a game to your liking, you can not only have great fun, but also expand your vocabulary, learn to think critically.

  • Regular training is the key to success. If the daily “load” is 3 words, then in a month the vocabulary will increase by 90, and in a year - by 1080 words!
  • Secret from the serieswhich is neglected by many islistening to audiobooks, podcasts, lectures and public speeches by cultural and scientific figures.ATabout cleaning or commutingsuch activities contribute to the enrichmentlexicallywowbaggagea.

How to replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language for a student and a child?

Speech abilities in children are formed by the age of five: upon reaching this age, the baby should be able to use various constructions of complex sentences, master the skills of word formation and inflection, and have a sufficient vocabulary. Lack of communication, ignoring reading, violations in pronunciation are factors that lead to the fact that the child has a passive knowledge of speech.

The application of methods of expanding lexical baggage for adults to children is ineffective. The following rules from teachers, speech therapists and neuropsychologists will come to the rescue: they shared the secrets of how to replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language in childhood.

    No confusion! If a child calls mittens gloves and plates saucers, it makes sense to help the child see the differences between these items through visual analysis. For example, by drawing things that cause confusion, examine them in detail and highlight the differences.

    Verbal connection. The game of association allows the child to develop abstract thinking. For example, the kid should pick up several nouns, adjectives and verbs (preferably synonymous) for the word “guitar”: “music” and “sound”, “voiced” and “loud”, “plays” and “strums”.

    Hidden meaning. Concrete thinking is inherent in children up to 7 years old, later they begin to catch the "messages" of the author and learn to read "between the lines". The discussion of proverbs and sayings helps to develop the ability to understand figurative meaning.

    Reading and communication. Important aspects in the question of how to replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language for a baby are communication and reading skills. You should always listen to the child, and also do not forget to instill in him a love of literature.

How to quickly replenish the vocabulary of the Russian language? Use all of the above methods in a complex. It is important to remember that success is achieved only through hard work, and those who are ready to constantly work on themselves become erudite and developed individuals.

What is the difference between the linguistic consciousness of our contemporary and, say, a contemporary of Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin?

For almost fifteen years we have been working on compiling a complete associative dictionary of the Russian language. It turned out that the average young person of the XXI century actively owns about 32 thousand words. This is not only our "lexical minimum", but also a picture of linguistic verbal consciousness. We interviewed mainly young people, this is the contingent that is now becoming the most active in the life of society.

32 thousand words. This is much more than one would think by listening to the language spoken by teenagers on the street. Let me make a blasphemous comparison: Pushkin's dictionary consisted of about 22 thousand words.

Well, everything is simple with Pushkin. After all, only the words that the great poet used in his works were taken into account. A huge lexical array was left out of count.

Imagine the following situation: a graduate of the Pushkin Lyceum is talking to a student of some modern gymnasium. Do they understand each other?

The book "Pushkin's Dictionary and the Russian Language Ability" was included in the cycle of the award-winning works. I analyzed what would happen if a contemporary of Pushkin read, let's say, Makanin's story. To what extent has evolution taken our language away from Pushkin's? It turned out that almost everything was clear, except for those realities that were even impossible to predict in the 19th century. The fact that young people speak some special language, incomprehensible to a Russian person, is, excuse me, the machinations of journalists. Yes, there are many fashionable words in the vocabulary of young people. But they go out of use very quickly. We have explored the core of linguistic consciousness, the words with which a Russian person responds to the world around him.

- But the tongue-tiedness of young people is difficult to dispute.

In terms of the number of words, the dictionary of our contemporary is not inferior to previous generations. After all, if Ozhegov has 70 thousand words in his dictionary, this does not mean that there are people who use them all in their speech. For example, I can not boast of this. In addition, about 10 thousand words - such that a Russian person has never heard. Usually the vocabulary of young people is studied in a situation where they communicate in slang. But when, for example, a student from his "get-together", where he managed a hundred words, enters a wide language arena - answers an exam or gives you an interview - he acts as a full-fledged cultural heir to the language of his ancestors. Another thing is that the cultural background of the young is narrowed. A striking example: we ask for associations to the word "Rubicon". Answers: "Rubik's Cube", "Something military", "Name of the machine part". That is, on what occasion and by whom the words "The die is cast. The Rubicon has been crossed" were uttered by our respondents did not know.

We interviewed many native Russian speakers. Each received a questionnaire with a hundred words, to which he had to answer in writing with the first association that came to his mind. For example, the word "table" gives rise to associations: "round", "dining", "on four legs" and so on. As a result, the first stage of the survey covered five thousand people from various cities throughout Russia. The result was the first volume of the dictionary, which included 1300 stimulus words with the associations generated by them - five hundred each. At the second stage of the study, the words given in the answers were taken as stimuli. That is, it was necessary to come up with an association for the word "lunch". New chains unfolded: "lunch hour", "lunch break", "service". At the third stage, the stimuli were the words given in the answers of the second stage. But to crank it all out for the fourth time did not work. The words began to repeat themselves. There was no growth of new associations. So this figure came out - 32 thousand.

Now we can predict where our thought is going, what are the cultural priorities of young people.